Just thought I'd post my thoughts on the Nebo Glorious ride. Someone once said it was a world class ride and we are indeed fortunate to have this ride at our door step.

The good -The first few climbs - just enough to get the blood flowing and remind you that you are here to do some climbing todayThe low traffic - although the road is not wide, if you do it early enough there is not really enough traffic to bother youThe views - supurb, and particularly out to the west between Nebo and GloriousThe cars - watch out for the occassional Lamborghini, high end PorcheThe Marcllettes - an occassional but pleasant diversionBetween Nebo and Glorious - riding through the rainforest, the dappled light on the flat sections and the steep hills that follow the flat sections. You can sprint for some sections of this road, but these are each followed by a climb that will sap the energy out of youThe descent - Big sweepers, test of courage and speedThe descent - With Glorious around 600m above sea level, you still get to climb around 800m on the way home. It messes with your mindThe end - The last few climbs on the way back to the Gap. There to remind you that you are here to do some climbing today, even on the way downThe end - down that last hill, past the bus stop and suddenly the bush, the climbing, the views are left behind and you have been transported back into Brisbane suburbia. What a transformationThe company - My usual riding buddy for the ride is 10 years younger than me, and about 10% faster, but he still waits for me from time to time as I struggle up the climbs

The bad -The road surface - While generally OK, it is cracking up at an alarming rate. If you don't know the road be careful on the descentThe Marcellettes - Those women are so much stronger than I amThe cars - OK not much traffic, but if the MX5 club or WRX club are doing the road, then get used to having a few cars pass you in quick successionThe pain - If you haven't done this ride for a while, then somehow there are extra hills, steeper hills. I don't know how that happens but it hurts more than you remember

The ugly -The (motor)bikers - They are noisy, but generally will share the road and so are neither good nor bad, but they are not good looking blokes (not counting the women in this comment). Generally it is better when they leave their helmets on

"Marcelettes", is that girls who ride pushies? It could construed as pejorative. I wouldn't want to say anything pejorative about girls who ride pushies. They are tough. They'll job you one. And you can't job them back cos they're girls.

Nebo was my personal favourite ride when I was living in Brisbane. The best climb up there was one I did on Australia Day a couplr of years ago when it was covered in mist at the bottom and cleared as I got to the top. Brilliant ride. The only downer was being sledged as I passed another rider who suggested I might breathe a little quieter!

whichway wrote:The ugly -The (motor)bikers - They are noisy, but generally will share the road and so are neither good nor bad, but they are not good looking blokes (not counting the women in this comment). Generally it is better when they leave their helmets on

Hey! I resemble that remark. Am hoping to get up to do that road and Maleny ranges again in Sep. It's been about 6yrs since I last road up to Qld. Shame I can't fit the pushy on the back and do the twisty on both machines

does anyone have any statistics for these rides? i'd be interested in doing it sometime but am not sure if i'd be capable of making it to mt glorious cafe and back haha

If you can make it there, you can make it back! That said there are three "ups" on the way down (two if you only do Nebo).

The bottom half of Nebo is harder than the top half so keep on going, it does get easier. I'd suggest doing Nebo only the first couple of times to get used to the longer climbing before taking on Glorious.

"Marcelettes", is that girls who ride pushies? It could construed as pejorative. I wouldn't want to say anything pejorative about girls who ride pushies. They are tough. They'll job you one. And you can't job them back cos they're girls.

Marcellettes: Pink, smell wonderful (even at 5:30am) and they can crush you. It's taken me two years to be fit enough to comfortably pass them. And they are serious.

"Marcelettes", is that girls who ride pushies? It could construed as pejorative. I wouldn't want to say anything pejorative about girls who ride pushies. They are tough. They'll job you one. And you can't job them back cos they're girls.

Marcellettes: Pink, smell wonderful (even at 5:30am) and they can crush you. It's taken me two years to be fit enough to comfortably pass them. And they are serious.

Last time I passed a pack of them I didn't spend long enough behind them to smell them. I'll try that next time.

"Marcelettes", is that girls who ride pushies? It could construed as pejorative. I wouldn't want to say anything pejorative about girls who ride pushies. They are tough. They'll job you one. And you can't job them back cos they're girls.

Marcellettes: Pink, smell wonderful (even at 5:30am) and they can crush you. It's taken me two years to be fit enough to comfortably pass them. And they are serious.

Last time I passed a pack of them I didn't spend long enough behind them to smell them. I'll try that next time.

The Marcellettes are Marcel Bengsten's pink and white kitted girl racing squad out of MB Coaching/Cycles, Milton. The top racers are seriously competitive. He has the best equipped race coaching business in Brisbane which includes hypoxic training masks and a fleet of top notch trainers. I haven't seen Marcel for 12mths so don't know how well his shop is going. Bought a women's Orbea Orca from him in 2010.

Thanks for putting up links to routes (was wondering distances and bikely seems to be not working for me). I am guessing people are going up early sat/sun morning, what's it like getting out to Mt Nebo Road from the city (waterworks rd etc)?

molly wrote:Thanks for putting up links to routes (was wondering distances and bikely seems to be not working for me). I am guessing people are going up early sat/sun morning, what's it like getting out to Mt Nebo Road from the city (waterworks rd etc)?

Bikely has been too slow for months. Be sure to check the "climbs" tab at MapMyRide for better elevation info. I can't believe they only rate Glorious Upper Ascent Cat2. Suppose it is because it is shortish.

Outbound on Waterworks Rd is quiet enough pre 7am on the weekends, Sun moreso than Sat, but imo better to be in a group. I've only ridden Nebo Glorious once, and it was on Sunday. It's possible it is quieter re motoring enthusiasts on Sat morning.

Coming back into Samford Village, and then crossing to Ferny Grove is busier.

id like to go but don't know the way, have no-one to ride with and live too far out to get to the city / meeting point by the standard 6:00 - 6:30am.....can't carry a carbon bike on my car bike rack, so i'd have to ride the 20km in.

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